BOC seizes P55-million smuggled goods

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated yesterday P55 million worth of fake cigarettes and other smuggled goods during a raid on a warehouse in Tondo, Manila.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña led operatives of the bureau’s Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) in the operation.

The BOC confiscated 120 boxes of fake cigarettes, cell phone accessories and chargers as well as three DVD replicating machines and 300 boxes of blank DVDs.

“We received a tip from the cigarette brand owner prior to the operation,” the BOC chief said.

On Monday, Lapeña issued a letter of authority allowing the ESS to inspect the warehouse along Antonio Rivera street in coordination with the local police, barangay officials and representatives from the cigarette brand owner.

According to the BOC, the counterfeit cigarettes amounted to P10 million. The DVD replicating machines are worth about P45 million.

The alleged owners of the warehouse – Sonny Kho and Tito Yao – were not around during the raid. 

Lapeña said the confiscated goods would undergo seizure and forfeiture proceedings for violation of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines and provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

 “Our relentless efforts to combat the proliferation of fake products will continue to protect consumers and local manufacturers,” he said.